Where in the World is Perkins?

(Continued from Perkins Insight eNews)

In East Africa, Perkins is partnering with the African Braille Centre and the Kiliminjaro Blind Trust to provide instruction in braille literacy and distribute Perkins Braillers® to schools, agencies and outreach centers for the blind. In the majority of these countries access to computers and assistive technology is low or non-existent.

“Our ultimate goal is to give each blind and visually impaired child in East Africa access to a braille machine — their pencil ,often their life-line — to advance themselves and participate at full potential. It can be done,” explains KBT Director Paul Polman, Chair of Perkins’ International Advisory Board.

In the past, schools for the blind and integrated programs in East Africa have struggled to repair and maintain the few Braillers they have, often resulting in students falling behind in their studies.

In the past, East Africa schools for the blind struggled to repair and maintain the few Braillers they have, often resulting in students falling behind in their studies.

Across Africa there are more than 6.8 million people who are blind. Many children who are blind do not have the opportunity to attend school and for those who do, access to a Brailler is often limited.

Thanks to funding from the Kilimanjaro Blind Trust, the African Braille Centre is able to train staff at the schools to undertake minor Brailler maintenance and repairs.

“Children in school would now NOT go for days without accessing their Brailler due to minor defects. The blind children will be able to learn side by side with their sighted peers and using a ‘pen’ that is equally reliable,” said ABC Production/ Development Manager Kiprotich Juma.

Kiprotich explained that when children who are blind take examinations, it is impossible to share Braillers. He further reckons that, what blind children need is to be given equal opportunity so they may perform well in class and during examination.

Kiprotich explained that when children who are blind take examinations, it is impossible to share Braillers and this can make it harder for teachers to keep up with curriculum goals.

“Education is the key to a better future life and this will not be possible without braille literacy for a blind person,” Kiprotich said.

Braille literacy, Kiprotich said, permits greater independence for children who are blind when they go on to college and careers. For instance by knowing braille, individuals who are blind can give presentations or speeches without memorizing the content and take notes for future reference.

By supporting braille instruction programs and providing Perkins Braillers® to those in need, Perkins, the Kiliminjaro Blind Trust, and the African Braille Centre are creating new possibilities for children who are blind in East Africa.

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